Rape Solicitors
A maximum penalty of life imprisonment means that rape accusations put your freedom, reputation and future at serious risk. At Waldrons, our experienced rape solicitors provide practical legal advice to protect your rights and minimise the disruption these devastating accusations cause to your life.
What is Rape?
Rape is when a man sexually penetrates any part of an unconsenting person’s body without the reasonable belief that the other person consents to the act. Continuing penetration when prior consent has been withdrawn can also constitute rape, and an offence can take place within a relationship or outside of one.
Rape cases are often complex, as the court will not necessarily consider apparent consent to be true consent. For example, complainants who are intoxicated or on medication may appear to give their consent when they are not really in the right state of mind to do so.
What To Do If You Are Accused of Rape
Punishments for rape are severe and can even result in a life sentence. If you are arrested or invited to a voluntary police interview in relation to rape allegations, contact a solicitor at the first possible opportunity. Seek their advice before discussing your case with anyone, as they will help you avoid making early errors which could harm your defence.
FAQs
Can Rape Charges Be Dropped?
Rape charges can be dropped, but their severity makes this unlikely to happen without a strong reason. Even in cases where the complainant no longer wants to press charges, they are unlikely to be dropped if the Crown Prosecution Service has compelling evidence that the crime took place.
Requests to drop charges are reviewed individually and may be accepted in cases such as those where:
- The defendant has a learning disability or other vulnerability
- The stress of the proceedings has a large negative impact on the victim’s mental or physical health
- A satisfactory settlement, such as a formal apology or financial compensation, has been agreed outside of court
What If I Am Falsely Accused?
When it comes to sexual offences, the principle of ‘innocent until proven guilty’ is often cast aside by the public. False accusations of rape can destroy your personal relationships and mental health. Having legal experts intervene on your behalf should be your first priority, as they will work to limit reputational damage and clear your name as quickly as possible.
How Our Rape Solicitors Can Help
Our specialist rape solicitors at Waldrons are here to guide you through the investigation and court process and lend a confidential ear to your concerns. We will give you clear, practical advice on handling police interviews, as well as analyse the evidence on both sides to construct the best possible defence case.
Accreditations and Affiliations
Any solicitor can say they are experienced in what they do. We go the extra mile to demonstrate our expertise. Many of our lawyers have undertaken independent assessments of their knowledge and skills. Our accreditations give you the assurance that you are dealing with a specialist.
Meet our experienced Rape Solicitors
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